The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the superior one when it comes to snapping photos. Blatantly, its 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera produces images that are filled with better detail and color production. Looking at the same shots, you can clearly see that the iPad 2’s results are filled with soft details and washed out looking colors – making it look rather muddy and hazy overall. With macro shots, it’s obvious that images taken by the Galaxy Tab 10.1 are sharper looking. Additionally, there’s a noticeable amount of digital noise evident with the iPad 2’s shots in low lighting, which is something less prominent with the Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Apple iPad 2

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Apple iPad 2

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Apple iPad 2Outdoor samples

At the same time, 720p video recording with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is considerably superior again versus the iPad 2’s production – and it’s like night and day between the two! Granted that they both shoot at the rate of 29 frames per second, we notice that there is a slight jerkiness to the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s video, but it’s nothing too detracting from its overall good quality.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Sample Video:

Apple iPad 2 Sample Video:

Multimedia:

Sadly, there isn’t any headway with the music player on the iPad 2 seeing that it carries over the same one that we saw with its predecessor. Naturally, it’s more than functional in playing some tunes, but it’s obviously lacking that polarizing presentation that’s found with Cover Flow on the iPhone. However, the music player on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is tastefully full of eye-catching visuals – especially with its 3D like carousel interface. Packing on left and right speakers, the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s output is rather neutral in tone, and it’s surprising to find the single speaker of the iPad 2 outputting deeper bass tones.

Music player of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

The music player of Apple iPad 2

Without a doubt, both tablets excel when it comes down to playing high-definition videos since their processors effortlessly work in producing smooth playback. And since they have the ideal screen size for watching videos, they present a conducive experience for those long trips on the road. However, Galaxy Tab 10.1’s 16:9 aspect ratio is the preferred choice since for movies, while the 4:3 screen of the iPad is better for internet browsing.

Watching videos on the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1

The video player of Apple iPad 2

Unfortunately, neither offer any dedicated HDMI-out ports to easily share content with the big screen. However, you can accomplish that and get treated to a mirrored experienced with the iPad 2 by using an optional HDMI-out dongle. With the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, it’ll likely emulate the same functionality, but it’ll probably be in the form of some kind of pedestal dock.

Again, there is nothing new present with the photo gallery on the iPad 2 and it pales in comparison to the glitzy presentation and sharing prowess of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. In fact, the 3D stacked look of the gallery app on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 emulates a field of depth as you tilt the tablet accordingly. Besides the bedazzling look of the gallery, there’s a decent amount of sharing options with the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Oppositely, the only sharing function that you can execute with the iPad 2 is sending photos via email – that’s all!

Although both tablets are available in 16GB and 32GB varieties, it’s only the iPad 2 that pushes it up one notch by offering a 64GB version. Happily, we’re still more than content to see pricing on the same level with both tablets – even though we have seen others priced below the $500 mark.

Software:

On the surface, the YouTube apps on both tablets might have the same layout with its presentation, but we slightly lean towards the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on this one since there is more control given to the user. Specifically, you have the ability to choose either low or high quality with the Wi-Fi Galaxy Tab 10.1, but with the iPad 2, you can only get low quality if you’re streaming over a 3G connection – with high quality enabled all the time with Wi-Fi connections. Furthermore, the YouTube app on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 packages in the usual variety of sharing functions that we come to expect out of Android.

Being a Google powered platform and all, there’s no denying that the Google Maps experience with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is going to be drastically better than the iPad 2. First and foremost, you get free voice guided turn-by-turn directions with Google Maps Navigation on the Android tablet. Secondly, it provides integration with some of Google’s other services – like Google Talk, Latitude, and Buzz. And finally, 3D map view with select cities just about rounds out the depth of features found with the Galaxy Tab 10.1. As for the iPad 2, it only delivers the most basic functions with Google Maps – such as getting directions, enabling satellite view, and getting street view.

Primarily because it had a head start, there are more tablet-optimized third party apps found with iOS on the Apple iPad 2 versus the Honeycomb powered Galaxy Tab 10.1. Despite being approximately 3 months old at this point, we still find a lack of venerable third party Honeycomb apps in the Android Market.

61.andrewdreams (unregistered)

heres the deal, if you acutally read the article they said the ipad 2 pailed in comparison to most of the features of sammy's tab. i dont think phone arena's biased at all they re just trying to give you the facts straight. i liked this article alot and it definately swayed my decision to the android. its really just a personal thing, if you want smooth web browsing and dont care about running flash or making it more personal, shut up and get the ipad 2 no one cares what you do; at the end of the day its all about what you like not anyone else. furthermore, if you want to run flash and have a better camera and multitask then get the sammy tab. again NO ONE CARES what you do at the end of the day its all just opinions, PA's just tryin to break it down into facts/specs you can read, so everyone just CHILL out and happy spending.

101.Insight (unregistered)

Well, you are comparing a NEWLY released model vs an older released model. Obviously there will be a difference.

Also the hardware is only as good as the best software. There are not much to look forward to a handful of good apps in Android compared to thousands of great apps in iOS. Despite better hardware specs you cannot really utilize them.

5.Synack (unregistered)

Clearly Phonearena is biased towards Apple. The new Galaxy Tab is a million times better than the iPad2 and everyone and their mother knows this. If you guy continue to write biased reviews towards a product instead of an open minded review where you choose the TRUE victor, then I'll go over to Phonescoop or BGR or Engadget. It's no wonder I've been confused at all of your reviews lately; it's because they're all ----- Product X vs Apple iPad; and the iPad always wins, even though it's worse than many more of these tablets.

why dont u just leave? it wud be better without u trolling anyways... u people are all retarded... why cant the ipad just be better... r u gonna die or something? and apps are the single most important thing on a mobie device... so ya, that kinda matters... oh and did u know honeycomb lags? ya well that kinda matters too... so ya the samsung wins stupid stuff like the camera... r u really gonna use ur ipad for that family picture?... and the notifications and browser are all not a win anymore... bcuase i wud say a smooth browser is just as important as flash...

45.jrock81 (unregistered)

44.Joe (unregistered)

Aaarrrggghhh!!! You Android fanbois are the worst!? Here you are threatening to leave to go to Engadget!?!? Go ahead and take a look because it's the EXACT same thing on every tech site. A bunch of crybabies screaming that "this crappy website is so obviously biased towards everything Apple! Wah!!!"

And do you know what gets on my nerves the most? That the same idiots that scream about how stupid we are for being in the walled garden, are the same ones that post the following on these threads...

"I don't have access to Netflix for my Asus Transformer?"'
"Why is there still no Netflix on Honeycomb?"
"I'm still noticing significant lag in 2.3.3"
"When is the UK getting 3.1"
"In EU Xoom still has not received 3.1 update."
"You need to have a locked bootloader/stock for this to work."
"Can't get it to install on Wi-Fi xoom running 3.1 unrooted."
"Just root and all of your problems are solved."
"Shut-up, you've been saying that since January."
"Come-on (Motorola, LG, Samsung, etc.), where's my update!!!"

Wow. You guys make it so tempting to jump ship. But hey, at least you've got your options right? It's great to have the option of having a buggy experience on so many different handsets and carriers. And please don't tell me how your phone/tablet/android gadget is completely bug and trouble-free. I'm happy for you. Just stop complaining so much about those that don't agree with you that everything Android is superior to anything else that's out there. You scream how important options are but you can't stand when I take my 'options' and choose something that's not Android.

Good lord, stop complaining about "fandroids" and go back to your Apple forums. Its easy to handpick a clearly whiny, and therefore awful example, of an Android user such as Synack who cant believe a review that clashes with their own opinions of a given product...the iPad has its perks, as does the Galaxy Tab.

I'll agree that the review seemed to lead on that the Samsung would appear to win, but if they call it a draw in the end then I'm guessing the iPad evened out with the intangibles. Whatever the reason, if you're complaining that the reviews are biased based only on the final outcome, and then you spend 5-10 minutes telling everyone that you're gunna leave, then the entire charade is posted for the purpose of drawing attention...like a 5 year old. This example, unregistered Joe, is unfortunately NOT the Android majority.

For every example you gave as a common complaint in Android forums, I've got an iDrone claiming their iPad saved their life and folded the laundry at the same time

9.ryq (unregistered)

wow you android fans make me laugh... first was the Zoom was better then the ipad but now months after its released nobody even considers them anymore.. now almost moths after thet ipad2 is released is being compared to a barely released product like the galaxy tab...it only shows that Apple are ahead of their time because they relased a tablet almost a year ago. multiples tablets have been released after but Sammy takes after the ipad... hmmmm.. weather if it looses or not. the comparison clearly states that it depends on what u want.. so android fan shut up and sit down... and get up once another android tablet comes out saying is the messiah of tablets..

16.lulz (unregistered)

you do realize this was an ipad2,not an ipad1 right? lol. and we arent comparing sales numbers, we are comparing features and functions.

and yea, the xoom won, the gslate won, and the samsung tablet sure as hell wins too. Honeycomb in general kicks iOS's tablet booty.
if that translates to sales numbers or not is a different question. sales dont always mean the best device.

66.srx82 (unregistered)

Great review, especially the video. Points out pros and cons of each device with no bias. Really, you know if you're an Apple fan you'll choose the iPad 2, if you're an Android fan, you'll choose the Galaxy Tab 10.1. But good to see you won't go wrong selecting either one.

12.box (unregistered)

Serious question about tablet-apps: the Honeycomb tablets, are they able to download non-tablet apps, in essence, have access to the entire Android Market (or other non-market app stores)? I have a Viewsonic gTablet, and I'm able to download and install whatever Android app I want, so I have the same apps on my G2 as I do on my gTablet, but they're so much better on the gTab since its screen is 10.1" (Angry Birds is one of my favorite examples of a app better on a tab then a phone). Are the Honeycomb tablets able to do this? Also, is the iPad able to download any apple app store app just like its smaller self, the iPod/Phone, or can it only download the Pad versions? I only ever read about "tablet-optimized" apps in these reviews, and while that is useful info, it'd be more or less irrelevant if the hundreds of thousands of other apps are available, just not "optimized"

Can't answer your question, but I have the iPhone 4. I find it kind of annoying when an app doesn't support the "Retina" display. There aren't very many that don't support Retina, but they do look jaggy and truly better on the 3GS/3G (kind of like viewing 480i content on an HDTV vs SDTV). They aren't to the point of unusable, but if there is an alternate app, I will use the one that supports Retina.

I think you would feel the same way once you find an "optimized" app vs non.

To answer your question If the app wasnt originally made for either honeycomb or iOS it will still be available to download in the marketplace / appstore, however its not a gaurentee that the downloaded app will have the same pleasurable experience as when viewing it on a phone. If the app isnt designed for tablets then chances are the app will not take up the whole screen of your device. iPad has a built in function to zoom in on the app so it will take up the whole screen but often times that can leave a jagged pixely image. As far as honeycomb goes I'm not entirely sure if it offers that same feature out of the box or if its a 3rd party app / plugin which could enable that.

13.jimeco (unregistered)

14.jimeco (unregistered)

15.Florian (unregistered)

You can use iphone apps on your ipad, but it doesn't look that great ( you just double it in size) but, there are more than enough ipad-optimized apps in the appstore( around 60.000), so you don't have to use those blown-up iphone apps.

And for the honeycomb tabs, yes you can use normal android apps, but i cannot say more about it.

19.Alex (unregistered)

Reading this review, ive come to realize that according to this website, if its not apple, its not worth it. How unrealistic is that? Everything they compare in the video, whether it be screen resolution, or volume rockers, the unimportant yellowness of the white part of google's web page, always seems to be in favor of the apple product. They never seem to mention that the "not even noticeable" screen lag on the galaxy tab could be due in part to the extreme customization of the home screen. Something different than the dumb sqaures of the ipad? The plastic feel of the galaxy tab is PA digging for something to condemn. I guess the giant ipod will always be better.

why does a product have to better then the other...?? they are similar products for diferent kinds of shoppers ..enough with this nonsense.. i am a average shopper and dont know much about hardware or other specs. and most of the consumer dont so fighting for whiom has better especs... most people dont care...i dont.. i just a tablet that can take me places...and is a a flexible price

Samsung is quickly becoming the major competitor for Apple. Samsung has the best Android tablet yet and their new galaxy s II is currently the most anticipated phone this year. Samsung will continue to deliver outstanding products. In my opinion Samsung is taking the market by storm. Ipad 2 is a great product but samsung has the better one.

23.Akselrod (unregistered)

Alright guys, this is ridiculous to me. I don't mean to be rude to anyone on here but why does everyone bash PhoneArena for loving Apple? If you are obviously so offended by this why just not go on to this site and not read articles that make you angry. I really don't get it, every single day there are tons of comments about how phonearena is awful and biased. If you don't agree then don't read. Ok, I am done sorry just had to get this off my chest after about 3 years of reading phonearena being bashed.

I honestly think they are doing a great job, the site looks better than most other sites of similar content and I think the reviews are pretty good, most of the time.

Now on this topic, I can't see how the Samsung Galaxy Tab is so much better than the iPad 2. I am not an apple fanboy, and besides an iPod I don't own anything made by Apple. I actually hate them for making me use iTunes (I bought and transferred a lot of music to iTunes, when it first came out, and now feel I am stuck with it due to Apples ridiculous music format and restrictions). I do have an HTC EVO 4G, which I love but don't think its the end all be all of phones, I bought it pretty much when it came out and thought the same thing then as well.

But back on the topic of tablets, why is Samsung so much better as you all state? Yes the screen is a bit bigger and maybe a little bit better, yes Android is an open system (not sure how much of a positive this is), the camera is better (who cares about this, really), Flash (this is a real plus) and I also think I read somewhere that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has more RAM (this is a good thing that I will give Samsung if its true). Otherwise they are pretty much the same, very similar dual core processor, no connectivity ports besides 1 proprietary port, no micro SD card slots.

The only real argument is that the Honeycomb OS is much better than iOS, which is subjective. Most people, me included, won't care for the openness of the Android OS and will definitely not use it to its full potential. To me these tablets are just toys, they will be used for web browsing, watching videos and playing games. For just web browsing the Samsung is definitely better because of the Flash support. For watching videos, i truly believe its a tie, the screen on the iPad 2 is really good when you see it in person, it is really not worse than the Xoom's screen. I understand that Samsung's will be a bit better than the Xoom's, but I don't think it will be that much better. Now for games the iPad 2 is the definitive winner, there are just way more apps and they are better apps.

I use an Android phone and I really hate how we don't have alot of great games, I know everyone keeps saying that they are coming but when are they coming? Sorry if I offended anyone, this was not intended for that.

I like your comments about phonearena. stop griping about them they do a dang good job on detail and acurate tests. Their opinions may be baised but at least they have all the facts down on paper and you can acurately judge for yourself.

25.coyote bahamas (unregistered)

27.a (unregistered)

Ummm.... just to point something out, 16:9 aspect ratio means you take the vertical
resolution and divide by the horizontal... 1280/800 = 1.6, not 1.77777. I just thought phonearena needed to know what an aspect ratio is, it seems they dont have a clue lol

28.leonard (unregistered)

The iPad had the edge right where it matters the most: APPS! You don't get a tablet to admire it's hardware, you get it to use apps on it and most Android apps look like crap on your shinny new tablet (just compare Facebook and Twitter apps). It will take years for Android to catch up with iOS on 3rd party apps offer, just like the phone version of Android needed 2 years to have a decent Market. But guess what, your tablet will be considered obsolete when/if this happens :)

Oh, and lack of Flash in iOS in mentioned in every review and by all android fanatics, now, if Flash is SO important for browser experience how come Flash blocking plugins are in top 10 most downloaded plugins for both Chrome and Firefox browsers :D

PS: I hope you android fanboys have noticed where the rear camera is on the Galaxy Tab :D to take a picture you'll have to hold it in landscape, you do realize you'll look like a zombie whenever you try to take a picture, don't you?

29.leonard (unregistered)

The iPad had the edge right where it matters the most: APPS! You don't get a tablet to admire it's hardware, you get it to use apps on it and most Android apps look like crap on your shinny new tablet (just compare Facebook and Twitter apps). It will take years for Android to catch up with iOS on 3rd party apps offer, just like the phone version of Android needed 2 years to have a decent Market. But guess what, your tablet will be considered obsolete when/if this happens :)

Oh, and lack of Flash in iOS in mentioned in every review and by all android fanatics, now, if Flash is SO important for browser experience how come Flash blocking plugins are in top 10 most downloaded plugins for both Chrome and Firefox browsers :D

PS: I hope you android fanboys have noticed where the rear camera is on the Galaxy Tab :D to take a picture you'll have to hold it in landscape, you do realize you'll look like a zombie whenever you try to take a picture, don't you?

83.ihatelie (unregistered)

36.Gagan (unregistered)

Hahaha! Stop fighting.. Hey every one u know what ipad 2 hardware is far better than nvidia(:-( samsung uses dat)go to anandtech.com and check it for urself!!my last 2 cell phones were android and no doubt they are the best(cheerz to open source)....ipad 2 is still not jailbroken(:-( )but soon it will be.....honeycomb lags.....there is an app called iswifter on ipad (its a browser) which supports flash...finally ipad 2's cam sucks....thanx to

I am a android user but everything you said about the ORIGINAL iPhone is correct. That device was indeed groundbreaking and shook up the phone industry for the better. However natural competition between phone manufacturers has shrunk the iPhones "WOW" factor and has stolen a lot of its headlines. This isnt a bad thing for apple its just natural progression in the marketplace. Having several quality options to choose from will only keep Apple and Google on their toes making sure that we as the consumer will have a higher quality product to purchase when our contracts come time to renew.

Why is this honeycomb not on their phones!! The biggest problem I have with Android (asides from the fans) is the look and feel. This is way more smooth and looks waaaaaaayyyy better than Gingerbread. I use the G-Slate yesterday and liked it alot! Why doesn't Android have this on their phones?!!

Google's Ice Cream Sandwhich is the answer to that. It will be one platform for both tablets and phones that can adapt to the hardware ensuring the best experience. I will still wait for its actual release before jumping at comparissons between ICS and iOS5

42.Myc (unregistered)

I don't know why all you guys are missing in your reviews an essential thing:

WATCHING MOVIES, more specific DIVX (which should be easily viewable on tab) or in browser (flash).

From this point of view thre's no 'g comparison. Except you want pay a lot to get movies from Apple. The funny thing is there are countries which are not allowed to buy/rent movies from US and such countries don't have even this option.

Why there is no review about this? Something like "to watch an divx movie on an Ipad,,, while on tab...

43.Striker (unregistered)

Phonearena, is it really so hard to admit that IPad is way better than all the other so-called tablets on the market?!? It does not matter if Samsung, Mamsung, Tyanmang or any other yellow-s**t brand puts a 1 million GHz processor it will still be yellow s**t with senseless OS(android). This OS is just not user-friendly, it jams, stop processes all the time and etc. That is why it is free! :) Get serious, guys! There are only two OS that deserve attention now - iOS and WP7. Leave the Giggle, pardon Google yellow s**ts for the children to play with.

I'm no fan of the electronics Nazi's from Cupertino, but Samsung's problem is that their phones and tablets feel cheap.... because they are cheap. I would rather have a piece of cardboard with Android on it than the iPad2, but that's me. I'm not surprised that it wins an objective comparison. Of course the problem with objective comparisons is that they don't take into account the intangibles that can make or break a product.

If Samsung could at least figure out how to make a smart, tight package out of plastic the way HTC does, they'd be hard to beat.

the TIN that apple puts around their phones is about 2 cents more expensive than the plastic samsung uses. It just doesn't feel as sturdy but i guarantee you that the plastic they use will hold up just as good as the metal used by apple or the plastic used by HTC

53.lozdog (unregistered)

It's so blatantly obvious that you were for Apple from the start. In every category where Apple excels, you highlight this fact really well. Yet in the categories where Samsung outdoes Apple, you seem to shrug it off as a lucky win for them, and despite Samsung being better at that category, you mention that Apple has this other unrelated feature that is better...

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